What Drives the Cost of Corporate Branding
Workwear, apparel and branded merchandise are quoted per order. These are the variables that actually determine the price.
Why per-unit comparisons are usually wrong
Two suppliers can quote the same garment at prices that look completely different and both be correct — because the blank item, the number of print positions, the number of colours and the setup fees are all different. Comparing the headline number without those four things in front of you tells you nothing. Here is what actually determines what you pay, so you can compare properly.
How We Quote
Apparel, workwear and merchandise are scoped and quoted per order.
The part that matters:You get a fixed quote for an agreed quantity and artwork before anything is ordered. If quantity or artwork changes, we tell you what it does to the price before we proceed.
Why no price here: There is no published price on this page by design. Pricing depends on the blank item, the decoration and the quantity, so a number here would be misleading rather than helpful.
What actually changes the price
Seven variables — the first four account for most of the difference between quotes.
The blank item itself
A basic cotton shirt and a technical work jacket are both "corporate apparel". Fabric, construction, durability and whether the item is designed for actual work all show up in the base cost before anything is printed or stitched on it.
How many print or embroidery positions
One chest logo is a very different job from a chest logo plus a back print plus a sleeve detail. Each additional position is additional setup, additional run time and additional risk of a misprint.
How many colours in the artwork
Each colour in a screen print is a separate screen and a separate pass. This is why a four-colour design can cost meaningfully more per unit than a one-colour version of the same logo.
Quantity, and how setup is spread
Setup and preparation are largely fixed costs. Spread across a small order they push the per-unit price up sharply; spread across a larger one they become almost invisible. This is the main reason per-unit prices fall as quantity rises.
Setup and digitising fees
Embroidery needs a digitised file for your specific artwork, and screen printing needs screens. These are once-off costs for a given design — which is why reordering the same artwork later is usually cheaper per unit than the first order.
Artwork preparation
A production-ready vector file goes straight to setup. A low-resolution image or a photograph has to be redrawn first, and that work sits in the price. Supplying good artwork at the start is the cheapest saving available.
Lead time and stock availability
Standard items in standard colours at normal lead times are straightforward. Specific colours, sizes or styles may need to be sourced, and rushed timelines can limit which options are even available. Planning early is free and usually improves the price.
What to check before you place an order
Five things that separate a good branded order from an expensive lesson.
Agree the artwork before choosing the item
The decoration method follows from the artwork, and the item follows from the method. Choosing the garment first regularly forces a compromise on the branding you actually wanted.
Compare quotes on the same basis
Ask every supplier to state the blank item, the positions, the colours, the quantity and the setup fees separately. Per-unit prices quoted on different bases cannot be compared.
Do not assume one size fits everyone
Real teams need a spread of sizes, and some sizes carry different pricing or availability. Getting the size breakdown right before ordering avoids a second run for the two people who did not fit.
Supply your own digitised embroidery file if you have one
If you already own a digitised file for your logo, say so before quoting. It removes the digitising step from the order and it is the single easiest saving on an embroidery job.
Do not order at the last minute
Lead time affects both price and options. A realistic deadline keeps the choice of item and decoration open; an urgent one narrows both and can push the cost up.
How Quickly You'll Hear From Us
These are our published commitments — the same everywhere we work.
How a Quote Works
We look at what is actually needed before quoting, so the number you receive matches the work.
- You describe the problem or the job — no obligation.
- We diagnose or scope it and tell you what is involved.
- You get a fixed quote for an agreed scope before any work starts.
- If the scope changes, you hear about the cost before we continue.
Nothing is ordered, replaced or produced without your approval.
Response Times
How quickly you'll hear from us.
Corporate Apparel
Workwear, uniforms and branded clothing produced from your own artwork.
Branded Merchandise
Drinkware, gifts and promotional items carrying your brand.
What a Logo Costs
The design side — what drives the cost before anything is produced.
What Corporate Workwear Costs
A longer look at pricing expectations for workwear in South Africa.
Questions About Cost
Why is there no price per item on this page?
Because it genuinely depends on the item, the decoration and the quantity. Two orders of the same number of garments can differ substantially in cost. A fixed quote for your actual brief is more useful than a figure that would be wrong for it.
Can we supply our own artwork or digitised file?
Yes. If you already own a production-ready vector file or a digitised embroidery file for your logo, tell us before quoting. It removes setup work and reduces the cost of the order.
Is a larger order always cheaper per unit?
Per unit, usually yes — fixed setup costs are spread further. That does not automatically make it the better decision. Ordering more than you will use is still money spent on stock sitting in a cupboard.
What is the difference between embroidery and print?
Embroidery suits polos, jackets and workwear and holds up well to washing and wear. Print suits finer detail, larger areas and flat items like bags and mugs. Which one is right depends on the item and the artwork.
Can you match our existing branding?
Yes. If you already have a logo and brand colours, we work from those. If your artwork only exists as a low-resolution image, it may need to be redrawn before production — we will tell you if that is the case.
How long does a branded order take?
It depends on the item, the decoration and stock availability. The lead time is confirmed with your quote before you commit, so there is no ambiguity about when it arrives.